Lock with floating nest

ABSTRACT

A work machine including a frame, an engine, a wing and a wing lock. The wing being pivotably mounted to the frame, and the wing being actuatable between a stowed position and a deployed position. The wing lock assembly being mounted to the frame, and configured to capture a portion of the wing when the wing is in the stowed position.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to locking mechanisms, and, more specifically, to a locking mechanism with a floating nest.

BACKGROUND

A railway track requires routine maintenance to remain in good working order. Maintenance of the railway track is commonly performed by a variety of specialized maintenance-of-way machines that operate while traveling along the length of the railway track. Examples of such a maintenance-of-way machines include ballast regulators, sand and snow removers, shoulder cleaners, and the like.

Some maintenance-of-way machines deploy wings or blades to push or move material such as snow, sand or ballast from the railway track and shoulder. When not in use, or when the machine is traveling between locations, the wings may be stowed in a retracted position. To ensure the wings do not deploy accidentally or prematurely, a lock is often used to ensure the wing remains in its stowed position. Traditionally, chains were fastened between the wing and the frame of the maintenance-of-way machine, but this arrangement requires an operator of the machine to exit the operator cab and manually attach or detach the chains.

In other arrangements, an operator may need to maneuver a tab on the wing into a locking mechanism positioned on a frame of the machine. Such a solution is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,732,990 (hereinafter the “'990 patent”). In particular, the '990 patent discloses a pin and tongue assembly that is actuated by an air, electric or hydraulic cylinder. The tongue is affixed to the wing, such that when the wing is raised, the tongue slides into a receiving position, and a pin drops through the tongue, thereby locking the blade. However, an operator's line of sight to the locking mechanism is often obstructed, resulting in difficulty achieving a proper alignment of the wing and lock mechanism. In such instances, the locking mechanism may be damaged or destroyed by even a slight misalignment with the wing.

SUMMARY

In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, a work machine is disclosed. The work machine may include a frame, an engine, a wing and a wing lock. The wing may be pivotably mounted to the frame, and may be actuatable between a stowed position and a deployed position. The wing lock assembly may be mounted to the frame, and configured to capture a portion of the wing when the wing is in the stowed position.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a wing lock assembly for a work machine is disclosed. The wing lock assembly may include a body, a floating nest and a pin. The body may include a plurality of side walls and a base plate. The base plate may be coupled to a frame of the work machine. The floating nest may include a pair of guide walls and a lock mechanism. The lock mechanism may be configured to capture a locking portion of a wing of the work machine within the floating nest. Finally, the pin may define an axis of rotation, and may extend through the side walls, the guide walls and the lock mechanism. The floating nest configured to rotate within the body about the axis of rotation.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a method of stowing a wing of a work machine is disclosed. The wing may include an attachment portion. The method may include retracting the wing from a deployed position; raising a lock mechanism of a wing lock assembly; maneuvering the attachment portion of the wing toward the wing lock assembly; contacting a floating nest of the wing lock assembly with the attachment portion of the wing; pivoting the floating nest of the wing lock assembly to align the attachment portion of the wing with a tapered edge of the floating nest; inserting the attachment portion of the wing into the floating nest of the wing lock assembly; and lowering the lock mechanism through the attachment portion of the wing to stow the wing.

These and other aspect and features of the present disclosure will be better understood upon reading the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of a work machine having a wing lock assembly constructed in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of a wing lock assembly constructed in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a wing lock assembly constructed in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3 of the wing lock assembly constructed in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a portion of the wing lock assembly constructed in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a side perspective view of a wing lock assembly constructed in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a cutaway perspective view of a wing lock assembly constructed in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a series of steps for stowing a wing of a work machine constructed in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a series of steps for deploying a wing of a work machine constructed in accordance with the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to specific embodiments or features, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, corresponding or similar reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or corresponding parts.

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a work machine 10, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The work machine 10, as illustrated, may be a ballast regulator used to distribute track ballast deposited between railway ties, to pack the track ballast under the railway track, to level the track ballast height, to shape the track ballast shoulder, and to sweep the track ballast, among other operations. The work machine 10 may include a frame 12 supported by one or more wheels 14. The wheels 14 may engage a railway track 16, and be driven to rotate by an engine 18.

The frame 12 of the illustrated work machine 10 may support an operator cab 20. The operator cab 20 may include one or more control devices (not shown) that an operator may use to maneuver and control the work machine 10. In other embodiments, however, the work machine 10 may be an autonomous machine, a semiautonomous machine, a remotely operated machine, or a remotely supervised machine, among others. The control devices may include one or more joysticks, pedals, levers, buttons, steering wheels, or any other suitable control device or interface (or any of various combinations thereof) configured to be actuated or otherwise engaged to effectuate control of the work machine 10. The control devices may further include a control panel for displaying visual data pertaining to the components and/or the current operation of the work machine 10 to the operator stationed within the operator cab 20.

The work machine 10 further includes one or more implements, such as a plow assembly 22, and at least one wing 24. The plow assembly 22 may be positioned along a front frame section 26 of the frame 12, and include a blade 28 and a hydraulic plow actuator 30. The blade 28 may be utilized for snow and sand plowing, ballast removal, etc. The hydraulic plow actuator 30 may enable the blade 28 to be moved in a variety of different positions relative to the work machine 10. Similar to the blade 28 of the plow assembly 22, each wing 24 may be utilized for snow and sand plowing, as well as ballast leveling or removal, etc. In one embodiment, the work machine 10 may include a pair of wings 24 disposed on opposite sides of the work machine, although in other embodiments, fewer or more wings may be utilized. Each wing 24 may be positioned relative to the work machine 10 via a series of hydraulic wing actuators 32 which may be used to adjust and position each wing 24 relative to the work machine and the railway track 16.

The work machine 10 may further include a wing lock assembly 40, that may be mounted to the frame 12 of the work machine. In a deployed position (as illustrated in FIG. 1 ), the wing 24 may be positioned to remove snow, sand, ballast or other material from railway track 16. To stow the wing 24 when not in use, such as during travel for example, the wing may be moved from the deployed position to a stowed position (not shown). In one embodiment, the wing 24 may include a ring, tab or loop 34 that may engage with, and be secured within, the wing lock assembly 40, ensuring the wing remains locked in a stowed position during transport, for example.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-4 , the wing lock assembly 40 is illustrated. The wing lock assembly 40 includes a floating nest 42 that may be oriented to accommodate the tab 34 of an approaching wing 24. The nest 42 may include a pair of guide walls 44, a lock mechanism 46, an upper bumper bar 48 with an upper bumper 50, a lower bumper bar 52 with a lower bumper 54 (see FIG. 7 ), and a sensor bar 56. The nest 42 may be mounted within the wing lock assembly 40, such that it is configured to rotate, pivot, slide, rotate or translate upon an axis of rotation 58. In this arrangement, the freedom of rotation of the nest 42 allows for quicker and easier engagement of the tab 34 of an approaching wing 24.

More specifically, the nest 42, or pivoting section of the wing lock assembly 40, is maintained in a neutral position by a counterbalanced set of bumpers — the upper bumper 50 and the lower bumper 54. In such an embodiment, the free length of the bumpers is constrained into a compressed state by the upper bumper bar 48 and by the lower bumper bar 52, such that the nest 42 of the wing lock assembly 40 will remain with equal counterbalanced force in a neutral centered position when not acted upon by contact from the wing tab 34. While bumpers 50, 54 are illustrated, other elements capable of holding the neutral position of the nest 42 within the wing lock assembly 40 may be utilized (e.g. extension or compression spring(s), torsional spring(s), leaf or flat spring(s)), such that, as in the illustrated embodiment, the nest is configured to rotate, pivot, slide, rotate or translate upon an axis of rotation 58 and that the freedom of rotation of the nest allows for quicker and easier engagement of the tab 34 of an approaching wing 24.

The nest 42 may be housed within a body 60 of the wing lock assembly 40. The body 60 may include at least a pair of side walls 62, a base plate 64, an upper spacer plate 66 and a lower spacer plate 68 (see FIG. 6 ). The body 60 may be a weldment, although other methods of joining the components of the body are also contemplated. A plurality of fasteners 70, such as bolts, may be used to secure the wing lock assembly 40 to the frame 12 of the work machine 10. To secure the nest 42 within the body 60 of the wing lock assembly 40, a pin 72 may be inserted through the wing lock assembly. More specifically, the pin 72 may extend through both side walls 62, through both guide walls 44, and through the lock mechanism 46. In this regard, the pin 72 defines the axis of rotation 58.

The pin 72 may be secured within the wing lock assembly 40 at a first end 74 via an anti-rotation mount 76. The anti-rotation mount 76 may be fixed to the side wall 62 and may include a cut-out region 78 that may correspond to an anti-rotational shape of the first end 74 of the pin 72. In the illustrated embodiment, the first end 74 of the pin 72 and the cut-out region 78 include a pair of flat surfaces, but one having skill in the art would also appreciate that other anti-rotational shapes may be used, such as hexagonal, for example. The first end 74 of the pin 72 may also include a fitting 80 to provide grease or other lubricant to the pin. As best illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 6 , the pin 72 may also be secured within the wing lock assembly 40 at a second end 82 via a nut 84 and washer 86 arrangement.

Each guide wall 44 may include an upper entrance guide 88 and a lower entrance guide 90. Each upper entrance guide 88 may include at least one aperture 92 dimensioned to house a lock proximity sensor 94. The lower entrance guide 90 may include a tapered region 96, which upon contact from the wing tab 34, may cause the nest 42 to rotate, pivot, slide, rotate or translate within the wing lock assembly 40 to align with, and more easily accept, the approaching tab of the wing 24. The upper bumper bar 48 and the lower bumper bar 52 may be fixed between the pair of guide walls 44, for example, by welding. The bumpers 50, 54 may protect damage to the wing lock assembly 40 by absorbing any impact to the nest 42 from the wing 24 or the wing tab 34 as the wing is deployed or stowed. The bumpers 50, 54 may be made of rubber, polyurethane, or any other known energy absorption material known in the art.

Referring briefly to FIG. 7 , with continued reference to FIGS. 2-4 , the lock mechanism 46 may include a beak 98, a central pivot region 100 and at least one ear 102. The beak 98 shape of the lock mechanism 46 is configured such that as the wing tab 34 approaches the wing lock assembly 40, if the operator of the work machine 10 makes contact with any part of the beak of the lock mechanism, the lock mechanism will unlock and raise into an open position. Once the tab 34 of the wing 24 is inserted into the nest 42 of the wing lock assembly 40, the lock mechanism 46 will lock by lowering into a closed position. In the closed position, the beak 98 extends through the tab 34 of the wing 24, thereby retaining the wing in a stowed position.

Referring also to FIG. 5 , with continued reference to FIGS. 7 and 2-4 , the beak 98 of the lock mechanism 46 includes a hook or projection 104. Even though the tab 34 of the wing 24 may be locked in the nest 42 of the wing lock assembly 40, the tab and wing may still move or vibrate, especially during transport. In such instances, the wing tab 34 may pull, or otherwise exert force on, the lock mechanism 46. For this reason, the lock mechanism 46 may include the hook 104, which is configured to catch or snag the wing tab 34. In this arrangement, the wing 24 may exert a downward force on the lock mechanism 46, thereby preventing it from opening prematurely.

Referring now to FIGS. 2, 5 and 7 , the sensor bar 56 may include a threaded aperture 106 configured to receive a wing proximity sensor 108. The aperture 106 may be threaded to allow for easy installation of the wing proximity sensor 108. The wing proximity sensor 108 may be electronically connected to a controller (not shown) of the work machine 10, as well as to the control devices in the operator cab 20, and may be used to determine whether the wing tab 34 is positioned far enough into the nest 42 that the lock mechanism 46 may be lowered into the closed position. In one embodiment, the wing proximity sensor 108 may be an 18 mm inductive proximity sensor, but it is contemplated that other types of proximity sensors may be used.

Similarly, the lock proximity sensor 94 may also be electronically connected to the controller of the work machine 10, as well as to the control devices in the operator cab 20, and may be used to determine whether the lock mechanism 46 is in an open or closed position. During operation, for example, when deploying the wing 24, the lock mechanism 46 should be unlocked and in the raised position before the wing tab 34 begins to exit the nest 42 of the wing lock assembly 40. In one embodiment, the lock proximity sensor 94 may be an 18 mm inductive proximity sensor, but it is contemplated that other types of proximity sensors may be used. As noted, the wing proximity sensor 108 and the lock proximity sensor 94 may be in electronic communication with the control devices in the operator cab 20. In this embodiment, visual or audial signals may be provided to the operator of the work machine 10 to alert the operator whether the lock mechanism 46 is in the open or closed position, and whether the wing tab 34 has progressed far enough into the nest 42 to allow for the lock mechanism to close.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7 , a pneumatic assembly 110 of the wing lock assembly 40 is illustrated in more detail. The pneumatic assembly 110 may include a pneumatic cylinder 112, a pressure port 116 for an air valve, a vent port 114 and a rod 118 that may be coupled to a piston (not shown). The pneumatic assembly 110 may be coupled at one end to a gusseted support arm 120 extending from the upper spacer plate 66, and at an opposite end to the pair of ears 102 of the lock mechanism 46. In the illustrated embodiment, the cylinder 112 may include a spring (not shown) that holds the lock mechanism 46 in a closed position. In such an arrangement, the lock mechanism 46 remains in a closed, locked position until pneumatic pressure is applied to overcome the force of the spring, thereby expanding the spring and releasing the lock mechanism into an open, unlocked position.

The rod 118 may be fixed at one end to the ears 102 of the lock mechanism 46 via a fastener 122, or other method known in the art. The rod 118 may extend into the cylinder 112 and be coupled to a piston (not shown) attached to the spring, such that when air pressure is applied through the pressure port 116, the piston may be pushed downward, expanding the spring, and causing the ears 102 to move downward, raising the lock mechanism 46 to an unlocked position. Similarly, when the air pressure is vented from the cylinder through the vent port 114, the spring may retract, pulling the rod 118 and ears 102 upward, lowering the lock mechanism 46 to its neutral, locked position.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

In practice, the teachings of the present disclosure may find applicability in many industries including, but not limited to, railway maintenance. As one particular example, the present disclosure may be beneficial to maintenance-of-way machines. The present disclosure provides a work machine with at least one wing that, when deployed, directs ballast, snow, sand or other debris away from the railway track. When not in use, the wing may be moved from the deployed position to a stowed position by an operator of the work machine using hydraulic controls, or other means in the art. While this maneuver may seem straightforward, as the components of the wing begin to wear or sag, or calibration points start to drift, it becomes more difficult. For example, if not perfectly aligned during stowing (due to wear, debris, or other machine conditions), the wing can crash into the lock assembly. This can damage the lock assembly and/or the wing itself, or the wing may not be properly secured within the lock assembly.

A series of steps 200 involved in stowing the wing 24 of the work machine 10 is illustrated in a flowchart format in FIG. 8 . As shown therein, in a first step 202, the wing 24 may be retracted from its deployed position and moved toward a stowed position. If the lock proximity sensor 94 determines the lock mechanism 46 is not in a raised, unlocked position (step 204), the lock mechanism 46 may then be unlocked and raised pneumatically (step 206). This may be accomplished by applying air pressure through the pressure port 116, and causing the spring to expand, pressing the rod 118 and consequently the ears 102 of the lock mechanism in a downward direction, thereby raising the beak 98 portion of the lock mechanism. The tab 34 of the wing 24 may then be aligned with the nest 42 of the wing lock assembly 40, and inserted into the nest (step 208).

Once the wing proximity sensor 108 detects the presence of the wing 24 in the nest 42 (step 210), the air pressure is vented from the pneumatic cylinder 112 through the vent port 114, releasing the spring into its retracted position and dropping the lock mechanism 46 into the locked position (step 212). If the wing proximity sensor 108 detects the present of the wing 24 in the nest 42 and the lock proximity sensor 94 indicates the lock mechanism is not raised, the controller provides an audial or visual indicator to the operator of the work machine 10 that the wing is properly stowed (step 214), and movement of the wing is stopped.

The present wing lock assembly 40 enables imperfect alignment during stowing of the wing 24 (steps 206, 208). As such, the beak 98 of the lock mechanism 46 may be shaped such that if the lock mechanism is lowered, and the wing tab 34 strikes the beak anywhere between the pair of guide walls 44, the lock mechanism will release and auto-unlock, enabling the wing to be properly stowed in the wing lock assembly 40. In that particular example, the operator of the work machine 10 need not remember to preemptively release or unlock the lock mechanism 46 (step 206), as it will unlock automatically for stowing. Furthermore, this arrangement prevents damage to the lock if the operator forgets to unlock the lock mechanism 46 prior to stowing the wing 24.

While the series of steps 200 described herein may be accomplished by an operator of the work machine 10, it is also contemplated that these steps may be accomplished autonomously or semi-autonomously.

A series of steps 300 involved in deploying the wing 24 of the work machine 10 is illustrated in a flowchart format in FIG. 9 . As shown therein, in a first step 302, the wing proximity sensor 108 determines whether the wing tab 34 is positioned at the back of the nest 42, or away from the lock mechanism 46. This initiation of the sequence is to ensure that the lock mechanism 46 is not mechanically bound by the wing tab 34, which would effectually bind the lock mechanism in a non-functional position where the resultant force caused by air pressure applied through the pressure port 116, cannot cause the spring to expand, and press the rod 118, and consequently the ears 102 of the lock mechanism, in a downward direction, failing to thereby raising the beak 98 portion of the lock mechanism.

If the wing tab 34 is not sensed by the wing proximity sensor 108, the wing 24 may be hydraulically adjusted to the back of the nest 42, to ensure the wing tab 34 is not interfering with the raising of the lock mechanism 46 (step 304). Once the proximity sensor 108 determines the wing tab 34 is properly positioned, the lock mechanism 46 may then be unlocked and raised pneumatically (step 306). This may be accomplished in the same manner described above. Namely, air pressure may be applied through the pressure port 116, causing the spring to expand, and pressing the rod 118, and consequently the ears 102 of the lock mechanism, in a downward direction, thereby raising the beak 98 portion of the lock mechanism. Here, once the lock proximity sensor 94 determines the lock mechanism 46 is unlocked and in the raised position (step 308), the wing 24 may be moved from the stowed position to the deployed position (step 310). An audial or visual indicator may also be provided to the operator of the work machine 10 that the wing is properly deployed (step 312)

While the series of steps 300 described herein may be accomplished by an operator of the work machine 10, it is also contemplated that these steps may be accomplished autonomously or semi-autonomously.

While a series of steps and operations have been described herein, those skilled in the art will recognize that these steps and operations may be re-arranged, replaced, or eliminated, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as set forth in the claims.

Furthermore, while aspects of the present disclosure have been particularly shown and described with reference to the embodiments above, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various additional embodiments may be contemplated by the modification of the disclosed machines, systems and assemblies without departing from the scope of what is disclosed. Such embodiments should be understood to fall within the scope of the present disclosure as determined based upon the claims and any equivalents thereof. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A work machine, the work machine comprising: a frame; an engine; a wing pivotably mounted to the frame, the wing being actuatable between a stowed position and a deployed position; and a wing lock assembly mounted to the frame and configured to capture a portion of the wing when the wing is in the stowed position.
 2. The work machine of claim 1, wherein the work machine is a ballast regulator.
 3. The work machine of claim 1, wherein the wing lock assembly includes a floating nest and a body, the body fixed to the frame, the floating nest configured to rotate about an axis of rotation relative to the fixed body.
 4. The work machine of claim 3, wherein the wing lock assembly includes a wing proximity sensor configured to determine whether the captured portion of the wing is positioned within the floating nest.
 5. The work machine of claim 3, wherein the floating nest includes a pair of guide walls and a lock mechanism, the lock mechanism configured to actuate between an unlocked position and a locked position.
 6. The work machine of claim 5, wherein a lock proximity sensor is installed within one of the pair of guide walls, the lock proximity sensor configured to determine whether the lock mechanism is in the unlocked position or the locked position.
 7. The work machine of claim 5, wherein the wing includes a tab, the wing lock assembly configured to capture the tab when the wing is in the stowed position.
 8. The work machine of claim 7, wherein each guide wall is generally U-shaped to accommodate the tab.
 9. A wing lock assembly for a work machine, the wing lock assembly including: a body, the body including a plurality of side walls and a base plate, the base plate being coupled to a frame of the work machine; a floating nest including a pair of guide walls and a lock mechanism, the lock mechanism configured to capture a locking portion of a wing of the work machine within the floating nest; and a pin defining an axis of rotation, the pin extending through the side walls, the guide walls and the lock mechanism, the floating nest configured to rotate within the body about the axis of rotation.
 10. The wing lock assembly of claim 9, wherein each guide wall includes a tapered region configured to guide the locking portion of the wing toward the nest.
 11. The wing lock assembly of claim 9, wherein the lock mechanism includes a beak portion configured to engage the locking portion of the wing, a middle portion dimensioned to accommodate the pin, and a pair of ears extending away from the middle portion.
 12. The wing lock assembly of claim 9, further including a pneumatic assembly coupled to the body and including a cylinder, a spring housed within the cylinder, and a rod, wherein the pneumatic assembly is configured to actuate the lock mechanism between a locked position and an unlocked position.
 13. The wing lock assembly of claim 12, wherein the rod is coupled at a first end to the lock mechanism and is coupled at a second end to a piston housed within the cylinder, wherein the piston is coupled to the spring, and wherein when air pressure is increased within the cylinder, the piston expands the spring and drives the rod in a first direction actuating the lock mechanism into an unlocked position.
 14. The wing lock assembly of claim 13, wherein when air pressure is released from the cylinder, the spring retracts and pulls the rod in a second direction actuating the lock mechanism into a locked position.
 15. A method of stowing a wing of a work machine, the wing including an attachment portion, the method comprising: retracting the wing from a deployed position; raising a lock mechanism of a wing lock assembly; maneuvering the attachment portion of the wing toward the wing lock assembly; contacting a floating nest of the wing lock assembly with the attachment portion of the wing; pivoting the floating nest of the wing lock assembly to align the attachment portion of the wing with a tapered edge of the floating nest; inserting the attachment portion of the wing into the floating nest of the wing lock assembly; and lowering the lock mechanism through the attachment portion of the wing to stow the wing.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the floating nest includes a wing proximity sensor configured to detect the presence of the attachment portion of the wing within the floating nest and a lock proximity sensor configured to detect a position of the lock mechanism.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the work machine includes a controller configured to be in electronic communication with the wing proximity sensor and the lock proximity sensor.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein after inserting the attachment portion of the wing into the floating nest, determining, by the controller, whether the attachment portion of the wing is present within the floating nest.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the lowering of the lock mechanism occurs after the controller determines the attachment portion of the wing is present within the floating nest and the lock mechanism is in a raised position.
 20. The method of claim 15, further including alerting an operator of the work machine that the wing is in a stowed position. 